Abbreviations Used
Medical Licensure in Canada: Exams, Training, and Certification
Licensing Requirements
The information provided has been taken from "Requirements for Foreign-Trained Physicians," produced by the Foreign-Trained Physicians of Windsor, Ontario.
Abbreviations Used
Medical Licensure in Canada: Exams, Training, and Certification
Licensing Requirements
Each province and territory has different requirements for getting a license. Most require that graduates of foreign medical schools become Licentiates of the Medical Council of Canada, have some training at a Canadian university, and hold a Canadian certificate in Family Medicine or a speciality. Some provinces have special licenses that will let you practice under supervision or in under-serviced areas.
Getting a license can be a very frustrating and difficult process. We recommend that you find other foreign-trained doctors in your area and work together. The exams are very challenging and it can be very isolating to work alone. We have all benefited from meeting other foreign-doctors who have the same struggles and frustrations. Immigrant organizations in your area may also be able to help by providing support, space, or other resources. Also, for Canadian exam preparation, the textbook "University of Toronto Notes: Practice Exam Questions" is recommended.
The requirements may change
so it is important that you contact the appropriate regulating body and
check if there have been any changes.
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MD: Medical Doctor degree.
Foreign-Medical School: A medical school outside Canada or the United States.
MCCEE: Medical Council of Canada Evaluation Exam.
MCCQE: Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exam. There are two parts for this exam, Part 1 and 2
LMCC: Licentiate of Medical Council of Canada
College of Family Physicians of Canada: Provides Certification for family medicine.
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada: Provides speciality or sub-speciality certification.
FRCPC: Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada. Medical speciality certificate.
FRCSC: Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada. Surgical speciality certificate
CaRMS: Canadian Resident Matching Service
CV: Curriculum Vitae or Resume
USMLE: United States Medical Licensing Exam
MEDICAL LICENSURE IN CANADA: EXAMS, TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION
Any graduate of a medical school outside Canada or the USA must obtain a pass standing on the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE). This is the first step towards getting a license in a province, further training in Canada, or eligibility to apply for the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE).
The MCCQE is composed of Part I and Part II. To obtain the Licentiate of Medical Council of Canada (LMCC), a candidate must have one year of acceptable post-graduated medical training, and pass Part I and II.
Once you have obtained the LMCC, you become eligible to sit the Certification Examination in Family Medicine or a Speciality. To receive certification by the College of Family Physicians of Canada, you must complete a two or three-year family medicine training program and pass the College certification examination. For certification by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada you must successfully complete the training program (four or more years) and pass the exam. Not all provinces require you to have a speciality certificate.
STEP 1 Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Exam
Before you are eligible to write the MCCEE you must complete all the requirements to obtain the qualification of Doctor of Medicine or equivalent from a university.
The MCCEE evaluates general medical knowledge compared to graduates of Canadian medical schools. It tests your understanding of the principle fields of medicine, including internal medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, psychiatry, preventive medicine and community health, and surgery. Most of the questions are intended to evaluate clinical knowledge, but there are some questions on basic medical science.
The exam is held twice yearly, usually in March and September in various centres in Canada and abroad. It is offered in English and French. Cost $1,000.
To get an application form and to receive a list of the examination centres contact the Medical Council of Canada.
STEP 2 Postgraduate Medical Training
Thirteen accredited Canadian postgraduate medical training programs participate in the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS). This service matches prospective physicians to a training program. Not all of the medical schools participate in the matching service accept foreign-medical graduates. Applications from graduates of medical schools outside of Canada are processed according to the policies established by each institution. To register with the matching service you must have passed the Evaluating Exam within five years prior to starting a residency.
Ontario does not participate in the CaRMS. Ontario has a pre-residency program that must be completed prior to residency. (Licensing Requirements / Ontario)
In 1997, only 8% of foreign medical graduates were successful in obtaining postgraduate medical positions. Of the 1,214 postgraduate training positions in 1997, only 16 (or 1%) were matched to foreign medical graduates. For more information contact the Canadian Resident Matching Service.
STEP 3 Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exam Part 1
This is a comprehensive examination with multiple-choice and clinical reasoning questions. It is designed to evaluate overall medical knowledge and problem-solving skills in all disciplines considered essential for competence in general medical and health care. It is usually held in May each year at 16 sites across Canada.
The exam is offered in English and French. Cost $650.00.
The application deadline is March 1st. Beginning in November 1999, computer-adaptive testing will commence. For more information contact the Medical Council of Canada.
STEP 4 Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exam Part 2
Part 2 of this exam is an objective, structured clinical examination. It is designed to assess history taking and physical examination skills, data interpretation, clinical problem-solving, management skills, and interviewing and communication skills. It is an interdisciplinary test to assess the clinical skills considered essential for competence in general medical and health care. The exam is 2 ½ hours long.
The exam is offered in French and English. It is held in October each year at 11 sites in Canada. One site offers this exam in May. Cost: $1,000.00.
The application deadline is mid-February. For more information contact the Medical Council of Canada.
STEP 5 Certification in Family Medicine or a Specialty
To receive certification by the College of Family Physicians of Canada you must complete a two-year family medicine training program and pass the College’s certification examination. For certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, you must complete the prescribed period of training (four or more years) in accredited residency programs in Canada or the USA. You must then pass written and oral exams in your specialty.
The province of Quebec has its own certification system for specialists through the College des medecins du Quebec. The College does not accept applications from candidates who have not been trained in Quebec.
Not all provinces require
certification in family medicine or a specialty.
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CANADA:
Newfoundland
- Full License
- Provisional License
for Primary Care Practice
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Manitoba
- Full License
-
Conditional
Registration
Nova Scotia
- Full License
- Temporary License
- Defined Registration
Saskatchewan
- Temporary License
- Full License
New Brunswick
Alberta
- Full License
- Special Register License
– Conditional Non-Specialty Practice or Military Practice
- Special Register License
– Conditional Defined Practice or Military Practice
- Special Register License
– Provisional Practice
Quebec
British Columbia
- Full License
- Temporary
License
OTHER:
"Requirements for Foreign-Trained Physicians" First Edition: August, 1999
Produced by the Foreign-Trained
Physicians of Windsor
Published by Windsor Women
Working With Immigrant Women
Contact: Kirsten M. Schmidt
135 Erie St. East
Windsor ON N9A 3W9
Tel (519) 973-5588
Fax (519) 973-1534
Email: wwwwiw@sympatico.ca
Special thanks to:
Dr. Fozi Omar , Dr. Zineb
Sebbane-Allouche, Dr. Hawa Farah, Dr. Syed Warsi who spent many hours gathering,
organizing, and writing this booklet so others might better understand
the systems.
Sponsored by:
Windsor Women Working With
Immigrant Women
Funded by The Status of
Women Canada